The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is one of the 16 hospitals retained by the Department of Health in Mindanao.1 It has a diverse clientele, mostly coming from the Davao Region (Region XI), SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) and Caraga Region (Region XIII). The SPMC Outpatient Department (OPD) consists of the following specialty clinics: Dental Medicine, Dermatology, Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Family and Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Medicine, General Surgery, Urology, Cancer Institute, Heart Institute, Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, and Animal Bite and Treatment Center.2 This infographic shows the number of outpatient consultations in SPMC from January to December 2017, which totalled 449,355. The three outpatient departments with the highest numbers of outpatient consultations were: Family and Community Medicine (64,388 consultations), Obstetrics & Gynecology (58,757 consultations), and Internal Medicine (53,270 consultations). SPMC will expand its services in the future with the construction of the institutes or centers for Women and Newborn Health, Cancer, Kidney and Transplant, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Pediatrics, and Acute Care and Trauma. Each of these centers is projected to also run its own specialized outpatient services.
Outpatients

The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is one of the 16 hospitals retained by the Department of Health in Mindanao.1 It has a diverse clientele, mostly coming from the Davao Region (Region XI), SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) and Caraga Region (Region XIII). The SPMC Outpatient Department (OPD) consists of the following specialty clinics: Dental Medicine, Dermatology, Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Family and Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Medicine, General Surgery, Urology, Cancer Institute, Heart Institute, Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, and Animal Bite and Treatment Center.2 This infographic shows the number of outpatient consultations in SPMC from January to December 2017, which totalled 449,355. The three outpatient departments with the highest numbers of outpatient consultations were: Family and Community Medicine (64,388 consultations), Obstetrics & Gynecology (58,757 consultations), and Internal Medicine (53,270 consultations). SPMC will expand its services in the future with the construction of the institutes or centers for Women and Newborn Health, Cancer, Kidney and Transplant, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Pediatrics, and Acute Care and Trauma. Each of these centers is projected to also run its own specialized outpatient services.
Outpatients

Outpatients

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Humans ; Outpatients*

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Humans ; Outpatients*

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Humans ; Outpatients*

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Humans ; Outpatients*

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Humans ; Outpatients*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Outpatients*

Background: Health related internet usage is common among patients globally. The literature review showed no local study regarding health- related internet usage in the Philippines hence investigation of internet use for medical information in the outpatient department was done Objective: To describe the health-related internet usage; its prevalence, reasons & experience on use, perceived effects and sources of medical information in the Outpatient Department of a tertiary Hospital. Method: A single center, observational, sectional study utilizing a modified 33-item self- administered questionnaire about Health-related Internet usage of patients consulting at the service outpatient department of De La Salle University Medical Center, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines fromSeptember-October 2020. 381 eligible participants were included in the study based on the computed sample size. The data were reported as frequencies and percentage distribution. Results: Majority of the participants belongs to the 26-35 years old group (32.02%) and most were Females (69%). Most used the Internet in general (88%) and Health-related internet usage was high among these users (78.42%). Despite the high internet usage, majority stated that the primary source of medical information was Doctors (76.25%). Commercial websites such as (Google & Yahoo) were the most commonly used during health- related searches (40.49%) and most searches were about their medical condition (36.22%). Most of the participants stated that sometimes they trust information from the internet (58.63%) and find it useful (68%). Forty five percent stated that medical information obtained from the internet were applied without consulting a doctor and subsequently, many does not disclose this information during medical consultation with a doctor (64%). Participants stated that their primary reason for Health-related internet use was personal knowledge about medical condition (57%). Also, most of the participants believed that Health-related searches do not have an effect on their medical condition (62%) and relationship with their doctor (61%). Conclusion The study clearly indicated that Health- related Internet Usage was a common practice in the outpatient department. Although, majority of the patients stated that their Doctors were the primary source of medical information, many individuals still do not divulge medical information obtained from the internet hence physicians should regularly inquire regarding health-related internet usage and educate regarding erroneous online medical information to correct misperception that may affect their health. Lastly, due to the overwhelming use of the internet among patients, health institutions and practitioners may develop mobile friendly applications to render sufficient medical service and provide holistic care to patients especially in this time of pandemic.
Outpatients ; Patients